Identification Cards
The barcode located on the front of the Bethune-Cookman University identification card that begins with 28849… is used for all library transactions. The identification card must be current, and belong to the person using it. No other form of identification may be used to check out or reserve materials. You should immediately report a lost card to the Office of Student Affairs.

Students must renew their library account at the beginning of every semester. Faculty/Staff should renew their accounts at the beginning of each academic year.Checking Out Materials
All materials are checked out at the circulation desk located on the first floor. Identification badges must be presented at the time of check-out. Once the transaction is complete, you will be issued a date due slip that lists all items checked out and the date they are to be returned. (A book drop is available on the front of the library for after hour drop offs.)

Loan Periods
The standard loan period is two weeks. All audiovisual equipment (including DVDs, VHS tapes, and CDs) has a one day loan period. All materials may be renewed if done so before the loan period has expired. Reserve items are checked out in two-hour increments, but may also be renewed. Special loan periods are available to faculty and students enrolled in the Honors Program.

Lost Books and Fines
Failure to return or renew books will result in overdue book fines. All unpaid fines and the replacement cost for lost or damaged materials are charged to the user’s BCU account. The replacement cost for materials is as follows: Book from Main Collection-$50 book; Book or material from Special Collection or Reserves- $100. Audiovisual material equipment or materials are charged the replacement cost.

Overdue fines are $0.50 per day/per book. The fine for audiovisual materials is $5.00 per day/per item. Fines for overdue conference rooms and reserve items are assessed a fine of $.50 per item/per hour.
If fines are incurred on a patrons account, they must be paid before permission is granted to check out additional materials.

Reserve Material
Books, pamphlets, articles, periodicals, and electronic media are placed on reserve at the request of faculty to ensure that assigned and recommended readings will be readily available to all students. These materials are located on the first floor of the Carl S. Swisher Library in the Reserve Area and are to be used in the library only. These items are available for a two hour check-out, but may be renewed if no other patron is waiting on the material. Reserve items not returned on time are charged a $0.50 fine. Conference rooms are also checked out in two hour intervals and are assessed a $.50 fine upon late check-in.

Copy Service
A coin operated copy machine is located on the first floor of the library. The machine accepts nickels, dimes, quarters and one dollar bills only. Copies are 10 cents per page.

Computer Labs
Students are encouraged to use the Reference Computer Lab for word processing and research. This lab has access to the library databases and Microsoft Office Suite. This lab closes 30 minutes before the library closes.

The Bibliographic Instruction (BI) Lab is located on the second floor, complete with 30 workstations with Microsoft Office Suite, Internet, and an LCD projector and screen. All library instructional classes take place in this lab, but it is also available for check-out by faculty when library classes are not in session.

All of the OPAC stations have internet access, which allows for general internet searching, as well. Printers are available in all labs and are connected to the university printing system, which permits 25 prints per day.

Conference/Study Rooms
The Library has several study rooms available for group study, tutorial sessions and faculty/staff meetings.
Food and beverages are not permitted in any of the conference/study rooms.

Bibliographic Instruction
Bibliographic Instructional sessions are offered to introduce the various information resources that are available in the library, so that students form both academic and lifelong research skills. Instruction is given specifically in how to search within the University’s online databases, how to search for books and other materials in the library, and how to determine relevant information on the World Wide Web. Sessions may also be customized to fit individual classroom needs.

The Bibliographic Instructors offer both classroom sessions via the Bibliographic Instruction (BI) Lab in the library, as well as individual instruction. Contact the Bibliographic Instruction team at ext. 2118 for more information.

Requesting Materials
Acquisitions suggestions may be made directly to the Collection Development/Acquisitions Librarian or through the departmental liaison. (Click here for liaison list).

Borrowing Agreements
The Carl S. Swisher Library has borrowing agreements with The University of Central Florida, Embry-Riddle University, and Daytona State College. To borrow from the University of Central Florida users must fill out a user access form at the Carl S. Swisher Library Circulation Desk. The form will then be sent to the UCF Library for approval, and the user will be notified by mail when privileges will begin. *Please note that user privileges are not granted immediately at UCF and may take up to weeks to begin. Please see the Circulation Staff for further information.

Users may borrow from Embry-Riddle University or Daytona State College using their current BCU ID. No additional paperwork is needed prior to the transaction. A maximum of 2 items may be borrowed from these institutions.